Miniature rose plant named ‘KORlacipor’

ABSTRACT

Miniature rose plant having a stable, salmon orange flower color; ease of rooting from cuttings; rapid growth; good pot rose habit; and long shelf life.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of rose plant of the miniature class which was discovered as a single branch spontaneous flower color mutation on a rose plant of the variety ‘KORprolit’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,154) in a greenhouse in Santa Barbara, Calif.

‘KORlacipor’ differs from ‘KORprolit’ principally in flower color. ‘KORlacipor’ is a salmon orange mutation of ‘KORprolit’, the flowers of which are light coral pink in color. Like ‘KORprolit,’ ‘KORlacipor’ is an ideal pot rose; easy to root from cuttings; grows rapidly; and has a good pot rose habit, long shelf life, and a stable flower color. ‘KORlacipor’ differs from similar related pot roses such as POULhappy in its compact habit, numerous basal shoots, ability to cluster, comparatively large flower size and long blooming period.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by cuttings, as performed at Somis, Calif. and Santa Barbara, Calif., shows that the foregoing and all other characteristics and distinctions come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetative growth and flowers of this new variety in different stages of development, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new rose cultivar with color descriptions using terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society (London) colour chart, except where ordinary dictionary significance of color is indicated.

Parentage: Spontaneous mutation of ‘KORprolit’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,154).

Classification:

Botanical.—Rosa hybrida.

Commercial.—Miniature rose.

FLOWER

Observations made in November 1999 from specimens started from cuttings in May or June 1999 and grown in a greenhouse environment at Somis, Calif. and Santa Barbara, Calif.

Blooming habit: Continuous.

Bud:

Size.—¾ inch long when the petals start to unfurl.

Form.—The bud form is long; pointed ovoid.

Color.—When sepals first divide, bud color is Red Group 41D. When half blown, the upper sides of the petals are Red Group 41C; and the lower sides of the petals are Red Group 41D.

Sepals.—Color: Green Group 137D. Surface texture: Covered in fine hairs. There are three lightly appendaged sepals. There are two unappendaged sepals with hairy edges.

Receptacle.—Color: Green Group 137B. Shape: Funnel. Size: Small (about ¼ inch×{fraction (3/16)} inch). Surface: Smooth.

Peduncle.—Length: Short (about 1½ to 1¾ inches). Surface: Smooth, with a few glands. Color: Green Group 137C with immature peduncles having a bronze cast of Greyed-Red Group 178B. Strength: Stiff; erect.

Bloom:

Size.—Small. Average open size is 1¾ inches.

Borne.—Singly and several together in pyramidal clusters of three to five blooms.

Stems.—Strength: Strong; average length is about 5½ to 6 inches.

Form.—When first open: High centered. Permanence: Flattens; all petals curl.

Petalage.—Number of petals under normal conditions: 40 to 45.

Color.—The upper sides of the petals are Red Group 41C. The reverse sides of the petals are Red Group 41D. The base of each petal has a small ¼ inch×¼ inch, Green-White Group 157D half moon at the point of attachment. The major color on the upper side is Red Group 41C.

Variegations.—Occasional greenish-white streak on the guard petals.

Discoloration.—The general tonality at the end of the first day: No change. At the end of the third day: No change. No change until petal drop occurs at day 16 to 18.

Fragrance.—None.

Petals:

Texture.—Leathery.

Length.—¾-⅞ inch.

Width.—⅝-¾ inch.

Shape.—Round to deltoid.

Form.—Tips slightly recurved; edges slightly quilled.

Base shape.—Cuneate.

Apex shape.—Obtuse.

Margin.—Rounded and notched.

Arrangement.—Imbricated. Petaloids in the center are few and small (⅛ to ¼ inch long; {fraction (1/16)} to ⅛ inch wide) same color as the petals; and ranging from 0 to 3 per flower.

Persistence.—Petals drop off cleanly before drying.

Lastingness.—On the plant: Very long; (about 16 to 18 days). As a cut flower: Very long (about 20 days).

Reproductive parts:

Stamens.—Length: ⅛-{fraction (3/16)} inch.

Anthers.—Size: Length: {fraction (1/16)}-⅛ inch. Quantity: 25-30. Color: Yellow-Orange Group 18A. Arrangement: Regular around styles.

Filaments.—Color: Yellow Group 4C.

Pollen.—Color: Not tested.

Styles.—Color: Green-White Group 157D.

Stigmas.—Color: Yellow-White Group 158C.

Pistils.—Length: ¼-{fraction (5/16)} inch. Number: 35-40.

Hips.—None observed, plant believed to be sterile.

Plant:

Form.—Bush.

Growth.—Vigorous; upright; branching. At maturity (14 weeks from rooted cutting), height is 20 to 22 inches, width is 16 to 20 inches in a garden setting. In a 10 cm pot, height is 8 to 9 inches tall, 7 to 8 inches wide.

Foliage: Number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves: Five.

Size.—Small (about 2½ inches long×1¾ inches wide).

Quantity.—Abundant.

Color.—New foliage: Upper and lower surfaces: Greyed-Red Group 178B. Old foliage: Upper surface: Green Group 139A. Lower surface: Green Group 139C.

Leaflets:

Shape.—Pointed oval.

Texture.—Leathery; glossy.

Edge.—Serrated.

Serration.—Single; small.

Petiole rachis.—Color: Greyed-Purple Group 183B.

Petiole underside.—Smooth; with some glands.

Stipules.—Short; serrated (about ¼ inch).

Disease resistance.—Resistant to mildew under normal growing conditions. Not tested for blackspot and rust.

Pest resistance.—Not observed.

Wood:

New wood.—Color: Greyed-Red Group 178B. Bark: Smooth.

Old wood.—Color: Green Group 137C. Bark: Smooth.

Prickles:

Quantity.—On main canes from base: Few. On laterals from main canes: Few.

Form.—Short; hooked downward.

Color when young.—Greyed-Purple Group 183D.

Color when mature.—Greyed-Orange Group 174D.

Small prickles:

Quantity.—On main stalks: None. On laterals: None.

Plant hardiness.—Hardy to zone 5. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the miniature class, substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularly by its stable, salmon orange flower color; ease of rooting from cuttings; rapid growth; good pot rose habit; and long shelf life. 